Unshared Secrets

Chapter 12: Revelations

Adrien shot around to see Hawkmoth, his face in a wide evil grin, as if he'd already won.

"So the Chat and Bug sent out these toys for me to collect? How thoughtful."

And suddenly he dashed towards Aspik who dodged, jumping over, all his weight pressed down the back of hawkmoth's neck, causing him to regain composure. Aspik's mind was whirring with thoughts. But only two shouted back. Multimouse, Marinette, Multimouse and Marinette. That one was a senti-monster, was this little mouse with amnesia something too? But she had helped him defeat Mayura.

Perhaps an illusion? Or another senti-monsters team? He didn't know what to believe anymore, this was like a nightmare where nothing made sense, no one felt real and the entire situation was surreal. As if the ground kept on being swept from under his feet every time Hawkmoth attacked him.

He stepped back and fell, realization dawning on him. Hawkmoth was here, Mayura threatened him and much more, they wouldn't come without a plan like this in the open. He had to regain balance and sense of mind....for Marinette.

He called second chance and fought on, and was able to caught on to the cane Hawkmoth used. "I always thought you needed this to walk, old man!" He taunted, earning an angry grunt and attack from Hawkmoth, who seemed to be getting impatient. Adrien dodged and stepped forward, hitting Hawkmoth in the stomach who fell in agony.

"You're over, hand over your miraculous."

Just as he thought he won, his hand was held up in the air and the other was restrained by blue fingers. Mayura...It's a good thing his father taught him piano then...Perhaps he should thank him someday, it did save his life. Articulating his fingers, Aspik twisted the bracelet and whispered out, "Second chance!"

He stood in front of the deflected Hawkmoth and alert this time, heard the wind of her dress as she neared him. But he was prepared and quickly spun, trapping Mayura as well. Mayura, now on the ground struggled to escape while Aspik smiled victoriously. He looked at Hawkmoth who seemed shocked, and reached for Mayura's miraculous. It's odd how familiar this seemed. It had happened in Ladybug's case too....but this one has a different ending. Right?

Wrong.

"I would put that hand away if I were you, child..."

Adrien paused and looked up to see Hawkmoth's eyes darkening. Anger, victory and something Adrien couldn't quite tell of. And he saw Hawkmoth slowly step back. Aspik did nothing, without a partner he couldn't hold on to Mayura and stop Hawkmoth. Getting even one miraculous did them better than none. Besides the odds of him being able to win against both adults was quite...low. 

So he let Hawkmoth back away, though it worried Adrien he felt slight victory himself. He still had the reigns with Mayura in his trap. Hawkmoth, for some reason quite valued her partnership, maybe because her identity would risk his as well.

"You must know Multimouse."

Aspik's throat went dry, but he never faltered. His entire life he'd lived behind a mask of happiness and broad sunlight, and he's gonna pretend it doesn't matter, especially when it risks...everything.

Suddenly, a bubble, similar to the Bubbler's appeared. Aspik raised an eyebrow in confusion as Hawkmoth turned around to face the empty bubble. Big mistake.

SMACK!

He was down on the ground and Aspik nearly cried out in joy and relief seeing Multimouse alive. Her eyes held what only Marinette could, and no imitation of her's from Mayura could ever contemplate that strong look. Hawkmoth did not go down without a fight and fidgeted around before falling, and finally Multimouse caught him.